Fun for the Ages

Marla Miller

Most people think cash is king when it comes to gift giving, but challenging new board games, geeked-out gadgets and high-tech home helpers are giving greenbacks a run for their money.

They might not be toys in the traditional sense, like dolls, robotics and Hatchimals, but they can be rich, engaging entertainment experiences. Mom and dad like to unwind and relax, too, and so do grandma and grandpa. Just look to the popularity of adult coloring books, Sudoku and fidget spinners; games and gadgets that help with stress and keep the brain sharp.

Tech and game manufacturers have responded with new makes and models to capture an adult crowd. Social, tabletop and role-playing games have seen a resurgence industrywide, growing 15 to 25 percent on an annual basis since 2009, said John Ward, executive director of The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), a nonprofit trade organization serving the tabletop and hobby games industry.

Board games and miniatures make good holiday gifts, but even collectible games such as Pokeman, Magic, and World of Warcraft trading cards and role-playing games are hot.

Our increasingly online society is one reason people are looking for shared experiences and ways to connect without screens. Playing board games has always had a social function, bringing families and friends together.

“There’s a lot of nostalgia about that,” Ward said. “People want to see their kids unplug; they’re missing that social component.” “Everybody needs social interaction to unwind, like going fishing, going for a run, or maybe you like playing a hobby game,” he said. “We’re seeing more and more where people want to unplug and get away from technology.”

Tabletop and social games

There has been a wave of new adventure-themed board games that can be played over and over again and never really end. Plus, it’s more affordable for families.

“You can buy one of these interesting games that are challenging for about $45 and play it all winter long,” Ward said. “A lot of them, each time you play it, the outcomes are going to be different.”

Gloomhaven ($160), a classic dungeon exploration game, Near and Far ($70), a fantasy game that travels into the wilderness and This War of Mine ($80), where players cooperate to survive in a war-torn city, are best bets according to ign.com.

Popular Mechanics announced its list of the 50 Best New Board Games earlier this year and recommends Steampunk Rally ($40), Great Western Trail ($70), Adrenaline ($70), Terraforming Mars ($70), Captain Sonar ($50), Clank! ($60), Santorini ($30), Scythe ($80) and more.

Great for girls’ night, CLUE:The Golden Girls ($40) has players attempt to solve the crime of who ate the last piece cheesecake. And for couples who like to throw parties, gift-givers won’t go wrong with Cards Against Humanity ($25), Never Have I Ever ($25) or the new What Do You Meme ($30) card game for adults.

USAOPOLY /

USAOPOLY /

Video games and equipment

Based on a recent report from Entertainment Software Association, gamers age 18 or older represent 72 percent of the video game-playing population and the average gamer is 35 years old.

More than 150 million Americans play video games, and families are making it a family affair. Sixty-seven percent of parents play video games with their children at least once a week, according to the report on theesa.com.

Perhaps one of the most interesting findings: Women ages 18 and older represent 31 percent of the video game-playing population, versus 18 percent among boys under age 18.

Some guaranteed hot picks: Nintendo’s newest gaming console, Nintendo Switch ($300, if you can find it) is a 6.2-inch tablet with small controllers called Joy-Cons that attach to the side of the screen. Praised for its portability, place the Switch in its dock and it automatically switches to allow gaming on the big screen.

Pixel Pals ($15) are light-up displays sure to bring back a bit of nostalgia and provide some desktop diversion during the workday. Pick from 8-bit characters like Mario, Luigi, Vault Boy, Mega Man, Master Chief, Batman and characters from Street Fighter.

From fitness wearables to drones to the Amazon Echo, tech “toys” and gadgets continue to transform daily life, monitoring everything from heart rate and sleep habits to answering a million questions.

When buying a fitness tracking device or smartwatch as a gift, consider the user and their exercise habits. A device with built-in GPS connectivity will come in handy for outdoor runners and cyclists, but walkers may be content with one that measures steps, calories and sleep.

The market continues to explode, but some of the best trackers out there include:

and Whoop, a performance optimization system and wearable designed for elite athletes now available to general consumers.

For busy parents who needs answers, or a techie who doesn’t want to sit down, The Amazon Echo ($180), Apple’s HomePod ($350), Google Home ($130) and other copycats are voice-activated, multitasking speakers. Ask Echo’s Alexa anything – hands-free – and she will answer. Alexa has a bank of 1 million answers, everyday things like the weather report, local traffic or fun facts, plus it plays music.

Or take it one step further with the new Echo Show ($230), where Alexa actually shows you how to do things instead of just telling you: Listen to music or watch videos, enjoy face-to-face calling, or monitor home security by asking Alexa to show you who’s at the door.

Google Home can basically assist with anything (it’s powered by Google), plus play your favorite music and some games, and help organize your day. Added bonus: It can recognize different Google accounts based on your voice signature.

And you might have a squealer on your hands when music lovers unwrap the latest in crisp audio technology:• Bose QuietControl 30 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones ($300);• Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones ($300); • Apple Wireless Bluetooth AirPod Earbuds ($160);• and the new Bose SoundLink Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker ($130), water-resistant with up to 12-hours of playtime on a full charge.To really unleash the fun, think big – and mobile. Safe for short distances, surprise the eco-friendly commuter with an OjO Smart Electric Commuter Scooter ($2000) for adults.Finally, for the binge-watcher, the all new Amazon’s Fire TV Stick ($40) is a hand-held toy they won’t put down. After connecting it to a TV’s HDMI port, watch over 250,000 shows from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO GO and more, and it has features like Alexa voice control and over 7,000 apps and games.-CTW Features